LARKANA, July 31: The anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) is out of stock in taluka hospitals, basic health units and rural health centres in Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts. Dog-bite cases are on the rise in the two districts and victims are facing difficulties in getting ARV.

Sources told Dawn that several people including two brothers from Qambar recently died of hydrophobia.

The sources said the majority of dog-bite cases were being referred to the Qambar taluka hospital from adjoining towns and villages.

EDO health Dr Noor Ahmed Khoso said numerous indents had been submitted with managers of the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, for purchase of ARV but in vain.

The NIH is the only institute which manufactures and provides ARV to hospitals in the country.

Dr Khoso said he had contacted the NIH telling officials concerned about the sensitivity.

He said in this context a meeting was held with the director-general of the Sindh health services and the matter was discussed.

The EDO was optimistic for early arrival of the indent of ARV but the sources said there were bleak chances of early availability of ARV in the two districts.

On Saturday, a dog-bite case from Qubo Saeed Khan was referred to Larkana and there was no vaccine available at the hospital.